“You don’t have to drive me to work. I’m sure the killer isn’t targeting random South Cove businesses.” I took a long drink from my orange juice, then realized Greg hadn’t responded to my statement. “Unless you think he is?”

  “Look, I don’t want to get into the investigation. I just want a nice breakfast with my fiancée.” He sat and started eating his eggs. “Anything I need to know about today?”

  “Like what?” I knew what he wanted me to say, but he could just ask.

  “Are you working until noon, then coming home? Or do you have other plans?” He didn’t even look up to meet my gaze.

  “Yep, that’s the plan. Although I need to fit in some time to read Deek’s book. He’s going to think I don’t like it, when really, I just haven’t had time to finish reading it.” I should be able to finish today, then I’d call him and tell him what I thought. Or send him an email if it was too extensive to just talk about. I really, really wanted to just love the book.

  “Tim will come by and drive you home, then. Please wait for him and don’t go down the alley to avoid him.” He stood and refilled his coffee. He sat back down and took a sip.

  “I didn’t try to avoid Toby, I didn’t know he was even waiting for me. I was trying to avoid everyone asking me if I was expecting.”

  Greg inhaled the sip of coffee he’d just taken and started coughing. I handed him a napkin. When he finally came up for air, I nodded. “That was kind of my reaction too.”

  “Who on earth was asking you that?”

  I tried to remember what Deek had called the woman, but I couldn’t. So much for my “get to know South Cove residents” campaign. “One of the customers. Deek knows her name, I just know her coffee order. Is that horrible? Am I a horrible person you don’t want to marry now?”

  “Because you can’t remember names?” He shook his head. “That’s not why I’m marrying you. I don’t want a social butterfly this time. I want someone who wants to be with me. I’m thinking you fit that bill.”

  Smiling, I kept eating.

  Finally, he leaned back in his chair. “People are really thinking you’re pregnant and that’s why we’re getting married?”

  “According to Deek, that’s been the gossip at the shop. He’s done his best to say no, but it keeps coming up.” I finished my breakfast and went to rinse my plate. “Thanks for cooking. I need to go change my shirt now. I spilled ketchup on the front.”

  As I hurried upstairs to change, I thought about the look on Greg’s face. Shock? I knew he wanted kids, but just not now. The problem was, if we waited too much longer, we wouldn’t have the chance. But again, this was a discussion for another day. Like when we settled on a date for the wedding. Baby #1 needed to arrive at least a year after that happened. No matter what.

  Small towns had long memories.

  * * * *

  I might not have had a second person working with me, but after the commuters came and left, I had someone from city hall coming in every half hour for coffee. I figured probably each and every one of them had been sent to check in on me. By the time Amy arrived, I had the visits timed to within five minutes. “Hey, Amy, coffee? Or do you just want to let Greg know I’m still alive?”

  “So you figured it out? I told Greg it was a bad idea, but your man can be a little determined.” Amy sat on the stool. “Since I’m on city hall time, I’m doing a mocha with two cookies so we can have time to talk too.”

  I glanced at Deek’s manuscript on the back counter. Every time I’d sat down to read, someone else had come into the shop. But Amy was my best friend. Telling her to leave would be rude, and I didn’t want to hurt her feelings. Deek, on the other hand, was going to be freaked out. He knew how fast I could read when I fell in love with a book. “So how are you and Justin getting along? Things a little better in happy honeymoon land?”

  “We had a talk last night. I told him I thought we needed to spend some more time together. Surprisingly he agreed. So Sunday, after your party, we’re heading out to find some waves. The water might be cold, but it will be fun to spend some time, just the two of us.” Amy bit into a cookie. “This married life sure has its potholes.”

  “As soon as you get used to living together, you’ll be fine. Before, you just saw each other during the fun times. Now you get the boring times too. I bet Justin’s just acting like he normally acts when class is in session. You just weren’t around then to see it.” I sipped my coffee and tried to act casual. “Have you heard anything else about the woman in Harper’s shop? Do they know who she is?”

  “I’m sure you and Greg already had this conversation, but no. I heard him and Bill Sullivan talking. Greg was supposed to be reporting on the case to Marvin, but he’s out of town. Again. Anyway, Bill says the council’s very concerned about this recent murder and wants Greg’s assurance that this isn’t random. Like he could tell them anything so early in the investigation. We all know how this goes. It takes time to find the killer.” Amy finished her cookie. “Bill and the council want this solved like it’s an hour-long drama on television. Greg told him as much, so I’m thinking Greg’s not on the council’s good side right now.”

  “Well, I know something.” Evie came out of the back room with Homer in her arms. The little Pomeranian wiggled his pleasure in seeing us. Homer and Emma were getting to be fast friends. “You are talking about the murder, right?”

  “Grab some coffee and sit with us.” I pulled another stool closer. “And a couple more cookies if you want.”

  “I’ll pass on the cookies. Having Homer back here is probably violating more of the health codes than I’d like. Or I should say, than your aunt would like.” Evie poured a cup and came over to sit. Homer curled up on her lap. The dog was well trained and precious. “Anyway, I ran the names. Harper isn’t from California. She moved here when she went to the fashion school in LA. Then she worked for a local designer, and early this year, her sister, Alicia, joined their inheritance to open the shop here in South Cove.”

  “That was her sister who signed the business application?” Amy sipped her coffee. “How did you find that out?”

  “I made some calls. I’m friends with someone who went to the same school as Harper. She was surprised to hear that Harper opened her own shop. I guess she was on scholarship at the school and really strapped for cash. She worked weekends at the fabric store near the school.” Evie set her cup on the counter. “So when I asked about family, Tasha, that’s my friend, said she remembered a sister and her husband coming to one of the school shows. She said the sister was fun, but the husband, he was on his phone the entire time and stood outside on the sidewalk waiting for her to come out so they could leave. The sister, Alicia, said they were flying back to Boise the next day.”

  “I thought I found evidence she was from Idaho.” I wasn’t feeling quite as bad about my Google investigation techniques than I’d been yesterday. “Did she remember anything else?”

  “No, we talked about people we knew after that. I’m running downstate to meet up with her in a few weeks. I’ve put it on the vacation board in the back.” She glanced at her watch and stood. “I’ve got to take Homer out now. We’re on a strict schedule.”

  After Evie had left the café, Amy was staring at me. “What?”

  “Now you have Evie involved in your whole Nancy Drew crew. You know Greg’s going to flip if he hears that you’re investigating.”

  A real customer came in the front door, and I slipped off the stool and took my cup back to the sink. “Kind of like I flipped when I realized he was having all of you check on me?”

  “Okay, you have a point there.” Amy’s phone rang. “I’ve got to get back to the office. I told Esmeralda to call if things got too busy. See you Saturday at the party.” Amy grabbed the rest of her cookie and hurried out the door.

  “Do you have any books for teenagers? My niece is coming to stay with me for a month, and I need some reading material at the house. My personal library is filled with thrillers and nonfiction about the Supreme Court.” The customer walked over to the counter while she scanned the bookshelves for the right section.

  “Of course. How old is she?” I grabbed the cups and wiped the counter before drying my hands and hurrying out toward the bookshelves. This was the part of the job I loved. Introducing people to my book friends.

  * * * *

  Tim stood outside the café by his personal car when I left the shop. It was an older sedan whose paint was beginning to crack. Tim was saving for a wedding and a house, so a new car wasn’t high on his list. Deek and Evie had come just before noon and took over the shop from me. I had Deek’s manuscript in my bag, and as soon as I was dropped off by my babysitter, I was making time to read. No interruptions. “Hi, Tim. Thank you for taking me home.”

  “You’re welcome.” He opened the door for me and then shut it after I got inside. When he settled into the driver’s seat, he grinned. “Greg made this sound like you were going to be a problem. Like I’d probably have to chase you down to give you a ride.”

  “I’m not unreasonable. And I figured you’d just find me anyway. Why make today any harder on you than is necessary.” I fastened my seat belt. “Are you and Winn coming tomorrow?”

  “We’ll be there. Greg hired Bakerstown officers to cover until five when I’m back on duty. Winn is so excited we get to come celebrate with you both.” He started the car and, after checking his side and rearview mirrors, pulled out into traffic. “And I have a surprise for you.”

  “You really don’t have to bring a gift,” I protested. I knew Tim was hoarding away every extra dime. I’d feel bad if they’d bought us some appliance that we’d just have to take back for store credit.

  “Winn took care of that. No, this is something from Greg.” He pulled the car over and parked in front of Exquisite Gowns for You. “Greg says your aunt is already there to get her dress. I’ll come in with you, if you don’t mind.”

  “If you don’t mind.” I climbed out of the car and hurried over to the door. I looked through the window before opening the door. Aunt Jackie was inside talking to Harper, and the dresses were hung on a rack near the counter. I opened the door and hurried over to greet them. “I can’t believe we get the dresses even with all that’s gone on.”

  “If I had to make you new ones on my machine upstairs in my apartment, you were going to have a dress this morning for your party. Your fiancé called this morning and said the shop was clear and I could reopen. Since I was planning on being closed anyway this week, you’re my only appointment. Then I’m vegging in my apartment until Monday. Not quite what I had planned, but he says I’m stuck here until we find out more about what happened.” Harper handed me the silver-blue dress in a clear plastic hanging bag. “Here you go.”

  “I’m so excited to wear this. You should come to the party. Especially since your plans got changed.” I held the dress out, then pulled it close to hug it. “I’m going to look like Cinderella at the ball.”

  “You’ll be beautiful,” Aunt Jackie said, then pulled a tissue out of her purse.

  I stared at her, dumbfounded. “Are you crying?”

  “No. I just have allergies.” My aunt turned and headed to the door. “Don’t forget to pick Harrold and me up tomorrow on your way to the hall.”

  “We won’t.” I turned to Harper. “Thank you again. This is really something special.”

  “That’s what I’m here for. To make your special days even more special.” She paused at the counter. “I might stop by tomorrow, if you really want me to.”

  “We’d be honored to have you. Besides, you’re part of South Cove now. You might as well meet all of the family.” I told her where and when the party was being held, just in case the rumor mill hadn’t gotten to her.

  “Jill, I’ve got to get back to work,” Tim said.

  “I can walk from here.” I laughed when I saw his face. “Don’t worry, I’m coming. Thanks again, Harper, and I hope I see you tomorrow.”

  When I got home, I carried the dress upstairs and took off the plastic cover. Holding it up against myself, I looked at my reflection in the full-length mirror in my room. It was lovely. I hadn’t been this in love with a piece of clothing since my first prom dress. Or maybe one of my suits that had been cut just for me. It was amazing how a well-made piece of clothing made the moment just a little more right.

  I hung the dress in my closet and closed the door. “Emma, you stay away from my dress, okay?”

  Emma whined, and I realized I hadn’t let her outside yet.

  “Sorry, girl. Let’s go outside and we can play ball for a few minutes.” Sorry, Deek, I thought as I headed downstairs. Five minutes and I’d be completely focused on the manuscript.

  As soon as I’d gotten back inside, the doorbell rang. Setting the papers down on the coffee table, I hurried over to glance outside. A delivery guy stood there with a floral arrangement.

  I opened the door. Emma sat next to me, watching.

  “Jill Gardner?” He handed me his clipboard and a pen when I nodded. “Sign there.”

  I signed and then traded the clipboard for the flowers. “Thank you.”

  “Just doing my job.” He hurried down the stairs and out of the gate into a Bakerstown Floral van.

  I closed the door and set the flowers on the entry table, looking for a card. There wasn’t one. I opened the door to see if he’d dropped it, but there wasn’t a card on my porch either. I grabbed my cell phone and, after finding the phone number, called the florist.

  “Bakerstown Floral, may I help you?” a cheerful woman answered.

  “Yes, this is Jill Gardner. I just got a delivery, but there wasn’t a card. Do you know who they are from?”

  “Where were they delivered?” Now the woman didn’t sound so cheerful.

  I gave her my address.

  “South Cove? Are you sure? I didn’t think we had any deliveries out there anymore.” She paused, and I heard the phone ringing. “Look, give me your number, and I’ll ask Sheila. She’s out for lunch right now, and things are crazy here.”

  “Okay.” I gave her my phone number and then my name and address again. “So you’ll call me later?”

  “Sure.” The line went dead.

  I took one more look around the flowers to see if I could find a card, but nothing. So I’d leave the mystery to later. I needed to read Deek’s manuscript now. Tomorrow was going to be a zoo, and Greg and I were supposed to be heading to the city for some couple time, but I wondered if that was off the table now with the open murder investigation. I was probably lucky the party hadn’t been canceled too.

  Chapter 8

  I stood in front of the mirror, glancing at the full effect of the outfit. I’d pulled my hair up into an updo with a few tendrils of curls hanging down around my face. I’d chosen a silver necklace Greg had given me our first Christmas. It hit the perfect spot on my neck. The shoes had a small heel and wouldn’t kill me after a few hours. I was ready, but for some reason, nerves threatened to overtake me. I kept reminding myself it was just a party.

  “You’re beautiful.” Greg came into the room dressed in his black suit. He wrapped his arms around me. “I love that dress.”

  “I know. Harper did a great job on this. Aunt Jackie wants me to talk to her about doing my wedding dress. But it feels like that’s too soon.” I met his gaze in the mirror. “I mean, we still haven’t set a date.”

  “We will. As soon as this investigation closes up, you and I will take a drive up the coast and spend a week at one of those bed-and-breakfasts you like so much.” He leaned down and kissed my neck. “Or maybe we could rent a place so Miss Emma could come along. She’s part of the family, so maybe she should be there for the discussion.”

  “I like renting a full house. It gives us more privacy.” I glanced at my watch. “We need to get going. Aunt Jackie’s going to have Harrold standing outside on the curb in his suit waiting for us.”

  “She’s a stickler for time. I get why you’re the opposite. It must be hard to live with that.” He let me go and grabbed his suit jacket from the closet.

  “She’s always been on a schedule. I think running the café made her that way. I don’t remember my mom much. But Aunt Jackie I can tell you a ton about.”

  He stood by me now, a steady hand on my arm. “Do you want to talk about your parents?”

  I shook my head, swallowing away the tears that threatened to fall and ruin what appeared to be perfect makeup application. Of course, Amy would probably pull me into the bathroom when we arrived and fix something. “Not today. I miss them and wish they’d met you. They would have loved you.”

  He shrugged. “What’s not to love? I have to say I’m glad Mom decided to not come this weekend. I’d hate to dump handling her on you since I’m going right back to work after the party. Besides, Jim will fill her in on all the bright spots. He’s taking pictures during the party and will send her a copy as well as us.”

  Greg’s brother Jim didn’t like me. He had actually told me that Greg and Sherry were still married when Greg had started coming around to chat with me. But we continued our relationship, much to Jim’s disapproval. He felt marriage was forever, and since Sherry was still alive, he held out hope that his brother would return to her unloving arms.

  I didn’t mind Jim’s disapproval, mostly because I couldn’t do anything about it anyway. And I knew Greg deserved to have his family and friends at the party too. It was just going to be uncomfortable.

  Speaking of Sherry, I followed Greg downstairs. “Hey, do you have any updates on the murder investigation?”

  “No.”

  “No what?” I checked Emma’s water and food. Then I let her outside for a quick run around the yard.